Profile: Elizabeth Freeman

Overview:

Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Mum Bett, was born into slavery in Claverack, New York, around 1742. As a child, she was purchased by Colonel John Ashley and lived in his household in Sheffield, Massachusetts. During the American Revolution, Freeman heard discussions about liberty, equality, and freedom. She questioned why those ideas should apply only to white colonists and not to enslaved people. After enduring abuse from the colonel's wife, she sought help from attorney Theodore Sedgwick.  In 1781, Freeman became one of the plaintiffs in the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley. The case successfully challenged slavery under the newly adopted Massachusetts Constitution and helped establish a legal precedent that contributed to the end of slavery in the state. Freeman spent the rest of her life as a free woman and became a respected member of her community. 

Quick Facts:

• Born into slavery in Claverack, New York, around 1742

• Also known as Mum Bett

• Purchased by Colonel John Ashley when she was an infant

• Lived in Sheffield, Massachusetts

• Sought freedom after suffering abuse at the hands of Ashley's wife

• Worked with attorney Theodore Sedgwick to challenge slavery in court

• Co-plaintiff in the landmark 1781 case Brom and Bett v. Ashley

• Helped establish a legal precedent that contributed to the end of slavery in Massachusetts

• Lived the remainder of her life as a free woman

• Died on December 28, 1829, at approximately 85 years of age

Why This Story Matters:

Elizabeth Freeman matters because she transformed the ideals of the American Revolution into a challenge against slavery itself. While many colonists demanded freedom from British rule, Freeman demanded freedom for herself. Her court case showed that the promises of equality and natural rights could not be limited to certain groups of people. Politically, her victory helped establish an important legal precedent against slavery in Massachusetts. Socially, her actions challenged beliefs about race and who deserved liberty. Economically, freedom allowed Freeman greater control over her own labor and future. Her story reminds us that African Americans were not simply observers of the Revolutionary era—they actively shaped the meaning of freedom in the new nation. 

Legacy:

Elizabeth Freeman's legacy extends far beyond her own freedom. Her successful legal challenge helped weaken the institution of slavery in Massachusetts and demonstrated that African Americans could use the courts to claim their rights. Her life challenged racist beliefs about intelligence, character, and citizenship. Freeman also showed that the American Revolution was shaped not only by famous political leaders but also by ordinary people who demanded that the nation's ideals apply to everyone. Today, she is remembered as an important freedom seeker whose actions helped redefine liberty in the early United States. 

Discussion Questions:

1. Elizabeth Freeman heard white colonists argue that they deserved freedom from British rule. Why do you think she believed those same ideas should apply to enslaved people, and what does that reveal about the meaning of equality?

2. Many students learn about the American Revolution through the actions of political leaders and military commanders. How does Elizabeth Freeman's story change or expand the way we think about who helped shape the nation?

3. Freeman challenged slavery through the legal system rather than through military service. What different forms can resistance take, and why is it important to recognize them?

Reflection Prompt:

1. Imagine living in a society where people regularly spoke about freedom and rights but denied those same freedoms to you because of your race and social status. How might that experience shape your understanding of justice, belonging, and your willingness to challenge unfair systems? 

Sources & Further Reading:

1. Nash, Gary B. “Elizabeth Freeman (Mum Bett) (1742–1829).” BlackPast. 

2. "Brom and Bett v. Ashley (Mum Bett/Elizabeth Freeman Case) Pleadings." Court Document. August 1781. Record Group JU-SJC, Series CCP.BE/003, File Unit 0018, Identifier CCP.BE/003. Massachusetts Archives. 

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